Not so much why me but why now..

[Draco88]

Hello. I'm new as you can tell.
I mainly registered to seek some advice on potential treatments (i've read around the forum and with all the suggestions i don't know where to start).
I'm 21 first off. I started to notice a receding hair line at 18, yet at the time i guess you could say i was in denial, plus i didn't see it as a big deal. 19, yeah my hair still looks good, i've noticed a 'deeper' receding hair line but just go on living. So as i'm nearing my 20th birthday, that's when i see (or maybe realise) that i'm starting to have an issue with balding. At that time i hear about this laser treatment which seemed promising, yet expensive so i leave things as they are, but meanwhile i'm still somewhat happy with my hair, so long as i don't cut it too short.

So i'm going through out the year as 20 year old, i've noticed my hair line has sunken in slightly more, but i wasn't too concerned about it. My mother noticed and suggested the leimo treatment (which is $1295, AUS dollars), yet i don't take any further interest in it. Now i'm 21, i had a hair cut the other day and now do i really see that this is becoming a serious problem. The barber might have cut it a bit too short, yet the change was more than obvious and now i am seriously considering some sort of treatment because my hair is a huge thing for me (as i'm sure it is with many other males). I'm quite a confident person, i can get along with anyone, yet i know that if i allow this baldness to take over, my confidence will go down to 0 and i'll just become a hermit.

I don't believe in those comments 'why me', but i'm rather wondering 'why now'?! I'm 21, i go to university and i like socialising. I don't want to have to deal with this now. My father is in his mid 40's and his hair looks much better than mine, he's only got a slight receding hair line, yet he has a brother who is completely balled so i'm wondering whether i get it from him? But the thing is, his brother has a son, same age as me, and his hair is just fine, no receding hair line, nothing.

What my ultimately query is, does this leimo laser treatment seem promising? I'm seriously considering buying it now (i'm saving up now). And what other treatment would any of you recommend? I've heard of propecia which is supposed to just slow the process?

I'm sorry if you all have heard this before, or if you're just repeating suggested treatments, yet i don't have anyone to relate to so i figured this forum would be a good place to start off. I'm not sure if i should post a picture, to show how my hair is though, i'll see. I just hope i find some sort of solution. I worry and think so much about my hair, i hate having to always go to a toilet to see my hair in the mirror, or if i'm talking with someone, wondering whether they have noticed my receding hair line. I've found i concentrate far too much on it and it's really getting on my nerves, it's always in the back of my mind, which is why i need to find a solution.

Thanks.

 

[decro435]

Laser isn't the answer , if it was everybody on this forum would be using it.
Cut Proscar into 5ths and take it daily. Go to the homepage of this website and follow the steps for you to understand what Hair loss is really about. Good luck.

 

[s.a.f]

Dont waste your money on Laser its BS. As decro mentioned finasteride is your best hope.
Why now? Because your genes are programmed that way. Why anytime? It started at 19 for me I knew it was cominmg because of family genetics but I too hoped it would wait until I could at least enjoy the best years of my life. We are slaves to our DNA.

 

[Draco88]

@Decro, Wow so no laser therapy eh? Although you guys are right, if it worked i'd be seeing success stories through laser therapy in the forum.

I thought about seeing a doctor and getting some advice, is this a good idea?

The treatments section provides a lot of good information. I'll be making sure to buy Nizoral today actually (there aren't different variants? What's this 1%, 2% stuff?), and i'll start off with that. However reading around it seems this can also cause more hair loss?

Although i think i may have decided on a 'treatment' plan, i'll look into this minoxidil (Rogaine it seems to be called in the trade, is it Rogaine foam that i'm after?), Nizoral and Finasteride. It seems promising judging by the many topics i've read with positive results. Or should i just stick with 2 treatments, either Minoxidil or Finasteride?

@s.a.f, thing is for me the only male in my immediate family with noticeable hair loss was my uncle, who only has hair on his sides. My father and his other brother both have hair with some receding, yet seems like i had to get this darn gene! :\ What's even more frustrating is that both my grandfathers aren't even bald! I'd like to have normal hair while i'm in my 20's, i don't care so much about 30's.

I'll look into buying those 3 products (they do seem quite expensive actually :\) and possibly seeing a doctor, just to get a second opinion. I've held this off for far too long and i now wish i had shown more concern last year.

Actually here in Australia we have this hair loss centre http://www.ashleyandmartin.com.au/theTreatments.cfm i'm guessing many of you wouldn't recommend such places?

 

[Obsidian]

Hairloss is weird as far as genetic programming.

My grandpa started thinning and receding at 18 and was a NW5 by 28 and a NW6 in his early 30's, his son or my uncle didn't start to thin and recede in till his early 40's. My roommate's Dad has almost the same thing happening to him, his Dad was visibily losing it in his early 20's and the guy (my roommate and his son) is at worst a NW1.5

 

[Draco88]

^^Genetics sucks
Actually, while i'm at it, here are two photos of my current condition


It also appears that i'm thinning here too..what joy.



Has anyone heard about this? http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/news/News_Rel ... ation.html apparently a product could be on the market in 3 years?! What a relief that would be.

 

[Obsidian]

I would not hold your breath on that, most of us will be bald or in the grave be the time that comes out. Why you might ask? Read up in the hair cloning/multiplication read, it is still a lot of years away.

Look at this way, a lot of guys like you have responded to the big three treatment and I would personally advise you to because you are going to lose more hair.

 

[Draco88]

Look at this way, a lot of guys like you have responded to the big three treatment and I would personally advise you to because you are going to lose more hair.

I will definitely be looking into starting this 'big three' treatment within the next week. I just need to clear up some things, get some questions answered here, see a doctor.

I was actually reading a topic you posted a while ago about shedding due to using Propecia, that has me worried actually.

I'll be looking to buy Nizoral today, i'm just not sure if i should get this 1% or 2%. I'll see what the pharmacy has.

Good thing i found this forum actually. I was really set on buying that laser treatment, now i won't be.

 

[follicle84]

Good thing i found this forum actually. I was really set on buying that laser treatment, now i won't be.

Laser works for some types of hairloss but not male pattern baldness type hairloss. It might help a little but it wont be significant enough to be worth bothering with. Certainly not worth the expense.

I'll be looking to buy Nizoral today, i'm just not sure if i should get this 1% or 2%. I'll see what the pharmacy has.

I dont think nizoral 2% is much more better than 1%. I would go with whatever is cheaper or easier to get hold of.

I was actually reading a topic you posted a while ago about shedding due to using Propecia, that has me worried actually.

.

Shedding is a sign that your hair is preparing its self for regrowth, and is normally a good sign. It is common with most hairloss products to shed especially from propecia, but not everyone get the sheds.

 

[Draco88]

Shedding is a sign that your hair is preparing its self for regrowth, and is normally a good sign. It is common with most hairloss products to shed especially from propecia, but not everyone get the sheds.

How long does shedding last?

Well i bought Nizoral 2% during my break at work. I squeezed out a small amount and rubbed it around my head. I'm wondering though, does it matter if we continue to use a shampoo after we have washed it out though?

And if this big 3 treatment does help me regrow/maintain my hair, how long will this last for? As long as i apply the products?

 

[oofah]

Draco, I wouldn't be so quick to discount lasers, especially because of your young age - you would be more likely to respond than most.

You're asking a forum that is devoted to meds for their hairloss (which I use along with lasers) so opinions may be biased - go to regrowth.com and you'll see plenty of positive results from people using laser helmets - not those bullshit, useless laser combs.

 

[iwantperfection]

draco dont listen to the previous post. thats terrible advice and wreckless. lasers DO NOT stop male pattern baldness. They are rubbish. Only the proven meds will. The guy has 3posts. The big 3 will help you greatly. The guys here will keep you right. best forum on the web with helpful and VERY knowledgeable people.

 

[s.a.f]

Agreed Laser clinics are a total scam, they keep you coming and by the time you've realised its never going to work you've spent £1,000's. There is no scientific reasons to why they would do anything for m.p.b.

 

[Quantum Cat]

Laser helmets didn't work for captain Picard, and they won't work for you...

 

[oofah]

You can do whatever you like - it's your hair but I wouldn't put too much faith in close-minded people who have already decided you've got basically 3 options to stop your loss or regrow and that's it.

Do you think if the big 3 were the end-all-be-all to hair loss that these sights would be necessary?

 

[Quantum Cat]

You can do whatever you like - it's your hair but I wouldn't put too much faith in close-minded people who have already decided you've got basically 3 options to stop your loss or regrow and that's it.

Do you think if the big 3 were the end-all-be-all to hair loss that these sights would be necessary?

nobody claims that the big 3 are the be all and end all of stopping hairloss, but they're more scientifically proven than lasers.

Can you post pics of your hair before laser treatment and after?

 

[Draco88]

Laser helmets didn't work for captain Picard, and they won't work for you...

http://bp2.blogger.com/_uekyjQXowno/SEW ... ocutus.jpg

lol nice one!

But i don't think i'll be going with a laser comb. Reading all the stories on this forum it sounds like this big 3 treatment is much more responsive. I just don't know whether, at my stage and age, i should start right off with the big 3 or use either just Nizoral and Minoxidil, or just Nizoral and Finasteride. I plan on buying these products within the next week (good thing i've got some money saved up) and i'd like to log my progress on this forum. But reading some topics, i don't know if i feel so confident in starting this big 3 treatment seeing how many experience this shedding, and others don't seem to be getting many results...emotionally i feel like buying either minoxidil or finasteride today (which ever is available over the counter, or whether i need a prescription) but thinking rationally i will read around a bit more, ask some further questions, see a doctor then decide on whether i will begin the big 3 treatment. For now i'll continue using Nizoral 2% twice a week; because i don't mind, that much, how my hair is at the moment.

I came across this website by mere chance and i'm glag i did, it never occurred to me to find a hair loss forum because now i'm feeling a bit more positive knowing there are other people out there going through this too (and actually doing something about it!)

 

[follicle84]

How long does shedding last?

For me 2 and half weeks each time it occurs. It varies from person to person however. I would say 2-3 weeks is probably average for people but can last longer.

Well i bought Nizoral 2% during my break at work. I squeezed out a small amount and rubbed it around my head. I'm wondering though, does it matter if we continue to use a shampoo after we have washed it out though?

As long as you have left nizoral on your head for several minnutes before washing it out it shouldnt matter if you use another shampoo. You should use it no more than twice a week, as any more than that wont bring you anymore bennefits and could be overkill.

And if this big 3 treatment does help me regrow/maintain my hair, how long will this last for? As long as i apply the products?

To maintain your results from these treatments you must continue to use them for the rest of your life.

If i remember correctly progress on propecia progresses on average up to two years. At this point it stabilizes and goes into decline after the 5th year (you start losing hair again). Minoxidil has an even shorter life no more than two years. Most of the progress is made in the first six months and little is gained from that point. I am not sure about nizoral.

These are just statistics i remember reading a while back. Progress and lastability vary from person to person. There is guy called Flavio on this forum who has used propecia for ten years and hasnt lost anymore hair.

 

[Draco88]

Using them for the rest of my life would bound to get annoying. I hate having to think about my hair. I remember days when i'd just wake up, take a brief look in the mirror and go about my day without a thought of my hair.

Although reading around here, it seems some people end up having worse hair than they started off with down the track, which makes me wonder whether i just want to keep what i have, because i'm quite fine with what i have for now. This short hair cut sort of freaked me out, but in a weeks time it will be how i usually want it. Well i've started with Nizoral now, i'll see how that goes for around a month, i'll see a doctor mean while and come to a conclusion.

I'm wondering whether stress can add into hair loss actually. Because when i was 18 (about the time i started seeing the receding hair line), i went through a terrible period of stress and constant worry.

If i remember correctly progress on propecia progresses on average up to two years. At this point it stabilizes and goes into decline after the 5th year (you start losing hair again). Minoxidil has an even shorter life no more than two years. Most of the progress is made in the first six months and little is gained from that point. I am not sure about nizoral.

These are just statistics i remember reading a while back. Progress and lastability vary from person to person. There is guy called Flavio on this forum who has used propecia for ten years and hasnt lost anymore hair.

I thought of going with propecia, since minoxidil doesn't seem to have as many positive stories, then again it depends on each individual so i really don't know how my hair will respond to the treatment(s).

 

[follicle84]

Using them for the rest of my life would bound to get annoying. I hate having to think about my hair. I remember days when i'd just wake up, take a brief look in the mirror and go about my day without a thought of my hair, now every time i do go out i have to visit a public bathroom to see it.

Sadly this is the reality for alot of people on here.

Although reading around here, it seems some people end up having worse hair than they started off with down the track, which makes me wonder whether i just want to keep what i have, because i'm quite fine with what i have for now. This short hair cut sort of freaked me out, but in a weeks time it will be how i usually want it. Well i've started with Nizoral now, i'll see how that goes for around a month, i'll see a doctor mean while and come to a conclusion.

Unfortunately there is no simple solution to hairloss and you have to find out whats right for you as what works for some doesnt work for others. The mixed messages on this forum serve no comfort either and only add to the stress. I think your doing the right thing seeing your doctor, but should you decide to use these products research everything about them before you do. Some products out there are down right scams, others effective but risky. People naturally form there own opinions on things and will have drawn there own conclusions, sometimes contrasting to other users. Its down to yourself to discover this for yourself. Good luck with nizoral

I'm wondering whether stress can add into hair loss actually. Because when i was 18 (about the time i started seeing the receding hair line), i went through a terrible period of stress and constant worry.

It certainly wont help. I personally believe it can accelerate existing hairloss. Check some of my posts out on my profile i might have some information on this and other safer alternatives to propecia and minoxidil.